MG becomes only the second ever NBL automotive sponsor following a single-season sponsorship for 2007-08 by former GM brand, Hummer.

In a statement, the NBL said MG will be the league’s official car partner and presenting partner of the NBL Grand Final Series and will present a prize of a MG ZS to the NBL Finals MVP winner.

NBL stars Will Magnay and Lucas Walker

NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman welcomed MG and said it was an iconic brand with strong customer loyalty.

“We believe a brand that combines style with a sense of fun is a perfect match for the NBL as we continue to grow Australia’s most dynamic sports entertainment product,” he said in a statement.

MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Cao said basketball and the NBL were on a rapid growth trajectory in Australia “as is the MG brand”.

“The 2018/2019 season is set to be one of the most exhilarating yet, and we have many exciting initiatives planned,” he said.

The statement said that over the next three seasons, the two organisations will align their strategic strengths to develop growth areas and build pathways to help young basketball talent emerge.

MG, owned by Chinese giant SAIC, re-launched in Australia in 2016 and now markets four models through 23 dealerships.

The NBL has Hungry Jack’s as its lead sponsor. The league has been operating in Australia and New Zealand since 1979 with its turning point for sponsorship coming after it signed a new television deal with Fox Sports at the start of the 2004-05 season.

Hummer followed electronics company Philips after it ended the association in 2007. In 2010, the NBL picked up iiNet as the league naming rights sponsor (for three seasons) and Centrebet (for two seasons) the official sports betting partner.

It also had equipment provided by Spalding and team apparel by AND1.

Hungry Jack’s became the naming rights sponsor in October 2017.

By Neil Dowling

L to R: Lucas Walker, Oscar Forman, Peter Cao, Will Magnay and Matt O’Brien